Report: Blue Jays make new offer to Vladdy, gap still exists

The Toronto Blue Jays are making a last-ditch attempt to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the 2025 season begins.

Toronto has tabled a new offer to the star slugger, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney, who adds that an agreement doesn't appear imminent, as there's still a gap between the two sides. Full details of the team's new proposal aren't known.

Guerrero, who's entering his final year of team control before free agency, opted to end all negotiations with the Blue Jays at his self-imposed deadline of spring training reporting day. Whispers of renewed negotiations picked up in recent days, though, as both sides apparently seem interested in getting a deal done.

Guerrero claimed earlier this spring to have asked for a 14-year contract worth less than $600 million. The Blue Jays reportedly countered with an offer in the $500-million range that included deferrals.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro expressed optimism last week about the team's chances of extending Guerrero. General manager Ross Atkins wouldn't detail the state of negotiations when asked about them Wednesday, but he told reporters he has "hope" a deal will get done, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.